VATICAN CITY – On Thursday, Pope Francis marks 12 years as the head of the Catholic Church, with his health becoming a topic of concern for many. After a month-long hospitalization, the 88-year-old is out of danger but the question remains: how will his health affect his future as the leader of the world’s nearly 1.4 billion Catholics?
The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 with pneumonia in both lungs. For a time, his condition was critical, but it has since improved and the Vatican has confirmed his condition as stable. With talk now turning to when he might leave the hospital, his hospitalization has raised serious doubts about his ability to continue leading the Church.
Slowing down
Before this health scare, Pope Francis had refused to make any concessions to his age or declining health. He maintained a packed daily schedule and frequently traveled overseas, including a 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region in September where he presided over massive open-air masses. However, his age and recurring health issues, combined with having part of one lung removed as a young man, make his recovery a more challenging process.
Father Michel Kubler, a Vatican expert and former editor-in-chief of French religious newspaper La Croix, stated, “The rest of his pontificate remains a question mark for now, including for Francis himself. He doesn’t know what his life will be like once he returns to the Vatican, and so, no doubt, he reserves the option of resigning if he can no longer cope.”
Resignation?
Pope Francis has always kept the door open to the idea of resigning if his health deteriorates, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, who voluntarily stepped down in 2013. However, recent statements from the Pope suggest he sees his role as a lifetime commitment. While in the hospital, he has delegated masses to senior cardinals but has continued to work on and off, signing decrees and meeting with close colleagues. But he has missed a month of events for the 2025 Jubilee, a holy year organized by the Pope that is expected to attract an additional 30 million pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican. It is unlikely that he will be well enough to lead a full program of events for Easter, the holiest period in the Christian calendar, which is only six weeks away.
A time for change?
Many believe that Pope Francis, who has not been seen in public since his hospitalization, may have to change course. Father Kubler remarked, “This is the end of the pontificate as we have known it, until now.” The Argentine Pope brought a fresh approach when he took office, eschewing the trappings of the papal office and reaching out to marginalized and disadvantaged communities with a message of inclusivity for all. He also introduced sweeping reforms within the Vatican and beyond.
Some of these changes, such as reorganizing the Vatican’s finances, increasing the role of women, and opening the Church to divorced and LGBTQ members, have been outlined in official texts. However, a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the Church, known as a Synod, is still ongoing. There are also those who oppose his progressive approach, and there have been instances of resistance and backlash, including an outcry in Africa over the Vatican’s authorization of non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples.
The future of the Church
Regardless of personal opinions on Pope Francis, it is undeniable that he has made significant changes during his tenure. A Vatican source said, “Whether we like him or not, he has shifted the dial, but many things are still pending.” The Pope’s health may have cast a shadow over his future, but his impact on the Catholic Church and the world will continue to be felt.
As Pope Francis marks 12 years in office, it is a time to reflect on his legacy and his contributions to the Church and the world. Despite the uncertainties surrounding his health, his dedication and commitment to his role as the leader of the Catholic Church remain unwavering. Let us pray for the Pope’s continued recovery and for the Church to continue on its journey towards inclusivity, compassion, and love.
